Howard departed on his next adventure on December 22, 2024. Our world is a different place without the presence and energy of this gentle, thoughtful man. For ten months he faced challenges to his aging heart and spine that he tried to surpass with acceptance and adaptation in order to stay alive, and then, all those efforts failed.

Howard's life was one of service to family, friends and especially others in need of care. Growing up in Wapello, Iowa, the oldest of six, he helped his Dad with farm chores. After an uncle advised him to leave farming and further his education, he attended Iowa Wesleyan College and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BA in English Literature and with a minor in Social Studies. He then attended Boston University and earned a MA in Divinity with concentrations in Theology, Values and Philosophy. All this was accomplished while maintaining full-time employment to meet expenses and with a family to support.

Howard was ordained as a Methodist Minister and served various parishes in Iowa for years before resigning to become a VISTA (Volunteers In Service To America) Supervisor. He next served as an Equal Opportunity Specialist at Project Equality in St Louis, MO. Following that, was a Partnership in his firm Barnhill-Hayes, Inc., in Milwaukee, WI, in which they specialized in corporate compliance and affirmative action. That led to his roles as Equal Opportunity Administrator and Human Resources Administrator at Miller Brewing Co.

After retiring from Miller, and graduating from Family Therapy Training Institute (FTTI), his favorite job ever somehow found him. He was hired by Sister Lucina Halbur, RN, to be the Program Director of not-for-profit Health and Social Services Case Management for SET Ministries in Milwaukee. This included coordinating the work of Nurses and Social Workers serving the residents in twelve low-income high-rise facilities throughout the city.

Howard was a loving and devoted husband, father, stepfather, grandpa and great grandpa. He enjoyed taking his family camping, playing his guitar and singing, skiing, horseback riding, canoeing, hiking, target shooting, and traveling by train, car or motorhome. He was an avid biker and rode his road bike on rides across various states, rode with friends around Lake Michigan, and the most difficult, across the Continental Divide and the Rocky Mountains. He had a life-long love of learning and was a constant reader and prolific writer, having completed and distributed three chapters of his memoir.

Howard lives on in the hearts and minds of his wife and soul mate, Judith Ann Hayes; his sisters, Kay Adkisson (Don, deceased) and Cheryl (Dale) Enger, dear daughters, Patricia (Bill) Genthe, and Lisa (Doug Burt, deceased) Hayes-Burt, stepchildren, Kathleen Burt, Dan Burt and Patrick Burt, stepdaughters, Lauren (Chip) Law, Cheryl (David) Timmer, and Tracey (Rob, deceased) Woessner. Also survived by his former wife, Margaret Hayes, beloved grandchildren, Erin (Tom) Secord, Jamie Genthe (George Fraley), Katlin (Joe) Nimm, Heather (Curtis) Valone and Will Genthe (Cecelia Bouska).

Further survived by step-grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, cousins, and close friends who have assisted immeasurably during the last very difficult months. Also, missing her Poppa so much, his last favorite dog, Tollee.

Special thanks to the Aurora Hospice at Home program and Franciscan Villa Care Center of South Milwaukee staff for their special care of Howard.

Interment will be private.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a future date.

In memory of Howard, you might spend time in nature, sing a song, read for enjoyment, write your memoir, do a random act of kindness, or consider a donation to one of his favorite organizations: the Wisconsin Humane Society.